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| Hotel above the Versace store in Waikiki |
Actually mid-century modern was all over the place, because, of course, Hawaii, like many other places, had a housing boom after WWII. We were extremely fortunate to get a private tour of a very special home in Oahu. That is coming up in the next post. In the meantime, let me whet your mid-century modern appetite with a few other photos.
Some of you can probably relate to this sad saga (either in your past, current or future lives). We are the doting parents of a strapping young 14-year-old freshman soccer player (goal keeper).
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| Oh that is just Mom and kid. He makes me look petite. |
Our lives are now completely structured around high school soccer and other soccer teams. Therefore, the only week actually completely soccer-free, was spring break. I have heard parents of multiple high school kids with conflicting sports actually take separate vacations because no kid is totally free at the same time. When did high school sports get so freaking serious?
Because we live on the West Coast, Hawaii isn't crazy far away, and if you stay on Oahu (think Vegas, but no gambling and more tropical), it can be darn near reasonable. So off we went.
A silly week ensued filled with Pearl Harbor, white sand beaches and mid-century modern all over the place! Charming pink buildings abounded. Maybe we were in Miami?
Cool looking white and turquoise condos continually popped up.
And the use of mid-century modern concrete wall sun baffles was extremely typical.
Charming mid-century apartment buildings were dwarfed by their towering condominium and hotel neighbors. I am sure someone had offered once to buy this prime real estate rental below. But this stubborn owner hung on.
This apartment building was constructed to curve around the corner rather than having straight wall joins. Very mid-century.
Pure modernism.
More concrete sun baffles.
By far, one of my favorite huge mid-century commercial buildings was the Rainbow Tower at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (constructed in the 60's).
The tiles are popping off all over it, and it looks like it is undergoing a renovation project (or should be). But it is simply charming and glimmers in the sunlight. As does most of Waikiki.
North shore fishing spot on a cloudy day.
The obligatory sunset. Waikiki looks best at sunset.
I have at least one spectacular office building and one spectacular home/garden to show you still. It was a good week. Very relaxing. But, we are back at it again.
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I love the pictures. Love the colors and the buildings. Looks like a fun place to visit!
ReplyDeleteStrange--when you're attuned to mid-century modernism, it pops up everywhere, even on Oahu. Wonder about the hinterlands of the U.S? Since the West Coast and Hawaii had a building boom after WWII, maybe MCM is concentrated there and the East Coast and Midwest not so much. A topic for a scholarly paper, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteMy only experience of Hawaii is when Bobbie lost the tiki doll (?) in the Brady Bunch! I've never thought of it as a holiday destination (for me) before, but you've changed my mind.
ReplyDeleteWonderful buildings Rebecca, thanks for sharing.
Great trip and great mid-century sightings! I especially love the gray and coral building.
ReplyDeleteLooks like some fabulous examples of mcm. I love the Rainbow tower. I hope you spent SOME time sitting on the beach lol!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Rebecca! I love Hawaii. One of my favourite places in the world.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite building from the above pics was the Hawaiin King with the coral. Gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing more!
In the first photograph, the building above the Versace store is not a hotel but an office building.
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